The Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake discs measure 398mm up front and 380mm at the rear

Weight savings extend to the headlight covers

The quad tailpipes produce some terrific music when the engine is revved

The F-type Project 7 was inspired by the Jaguar D-type

The adjustable rear spoiler is made of carbonfibre

Overall height is 11.4cm lower than that of the F-type convertible

Project 7 concept had one seat. The production car gets two

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Ed Callow, Deputy content editor

Jun 24, 2014

Jaguar has confirmed its F-type Project 7 concept car will go into production as a limited-run two-seat roadster hand-built by the newly formed Jaguar-Land Rover Special Operations (SVO) team.

A prototype identical to the production car was unveiled today at Goodwood Motor Circuit and will appear at the Festival of Speed later this week.

With the exception of a rollbar hoop behind the passenger’s head, the F-type Project 7 remains true to the concept car’s styling. The most obvious addition over the F-type roadster is the scooped fairing built into the rear deck – it’s inspired by the D-type Le Mans winners of the 1950s – while the Project 7 name is inspired by the seven Le Mans-winning cars Jaguar produced. A deeper front spoiler, aerodynamic bodykit and GT racing-style rear spoiler complete the look.

The Project 7 uses the same supercharged 5.0-litre V8 as the Jaguar F-type R Coupe, but it’s tuned to develop 567bhp and 501lb ft of torque. Power is delivered through the eight-speed Quickshift automatic, and 0-60mph takes just 3.8 seconds; it will be Jaguar’s fastest and most powerful production model to date.

Extensive use of lightweight materials means that it tips the scales at 80kg less than the F-type V8 S, at 1585kg. The upper front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and adjustable rear spoiler are all made from carbonfibre. There’s no folding fabric roof, either. Instead, a lightweight tube-framed Bimini roof clips onto the header rail when needed, or folds and stows in the boot when it’s not.

The Project 7 has a bespoke suspension set-up, and the front wheels are angled further inwards at the top to increase grip. A torque-vectoring system means that it can also brake the inside wheels to reduce understeer. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, too, to boost stopping power and reduce brake fade, while the roadster rides on 20-inch Storm alloy wheels. The are five exterior colours: red, white, blue, black and the green shown here - the white and black cars get grey roundells instead of white ones.

Paul Newsome, director of SVO who came to Jaguar from the Williams F1 team, said: 'Project 7 is a fully road-legal car and sets the benchmark for high-performance Jaguars. It was developed primarily on the race track, but has also been engineered for use on the road.'

Ian Callum, Jaguar's director of design, said: 'Project 7 is the perfect contemporary emdodiment of the D-type that inspired it. It's the first of what will be a great journey for us.'

Jaguar’s Special Operations division is tasked with building ‘halo’ cars for the most demanding customers. The company says the new roadster will be built as a limited run of up to 250 cars.

Prospective buyers will be able to see the production-spec car on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which runs from June 27-29. Orders are now being taken and the first customer deliveries will begin in the summer of 2015.

Jaguar remains tight-lipped about the F-type Project 7's price, although it is believed it'll start at around £120,000. The full range of bespoke options are likely to push that up to beyond £150,000.